Agenda item

To receive and consider the confidential report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee received and considered the confidential report of the Town Clerk on property matters which included matters relating to the Town Hall and Madley Park Hall leases, the use of the Council’s estates in Witney East for cycling and footpath connectivity, and requests for financial assistance towards rental charges throughout the Covid-19 pandemic  from the sports clubs occupying Town Council facilities as tenants

Members discussed each application for financial assistance individually, assessing how the operation of the sports clubs had been affected by the pandemic, and reviewed the financial information supplied.

The report also contained updates on wayleaves and easements, land at Park Road and allotments.

RESOLVED:          that the report be noted and: -

1.            that the Council accepts the revised rent offered by its landlord the Witney Town Hall Charity for the Town Hall at £15,500 per annum back dated to April 2019;

2.            that with regard to the Madley Park Hall lease, the Council agrees to  negotiate a new lease up to 2023 on similar terms to the previous one, based on the advice of the Council’s professional advisor;

3.            that the Council supports the Climate, Biodiversity and Planning Committee’s recommendation that the District Council may use its land for footpath and cycle routes from the Witney East Development;

4.            that Witney Town Bowls Club’s request to defer its loan repayment for six months be agreed;

5.            that Witney Mills Bowls Club be granted the financial support as detailed in its grant application;

6.            that Witney Range Users’ Committee be granted the financial support as detailed in its grant application;

7.            that Witney Lawn tennis Club be granted funding as requested to cover the period that the courts have been closed as detailed in its grant application;

8.            that West Witney Sports and Social Club be granted the financial support in respect of rental fees only which were due, as detailed in its grant application and equated to the period that the Club had to close due to Covid-19 but no further financial assistance at this stage.

9. that the Town Clerk reviews the 2021-22 fees and charges when the final budget is presented to the Council.